Write a commentRepresentatives from the Garda Síochána will be in attendance at the next meeting of the Newry & Mourne Policing and Community Safety Partnership (PCSP)
Slieve Gullion Sinn Féin Councillor Terry Hearty has said that their appearance to discuss cross border criminal thefts and rural crime prevention, is a welcome step.
Commenting Cllr Hearty said "Rural crimminal activities and in particular livestock theft is increasing in border areas. Armagh has been identified as a major "hot spot" for these dispicable attacks on the farming fraternity"
Concluding he added "The PCSP have supported my proposal to invite members of the Louth Garda Síochána to attend our next meeting so that we can discuss how best these types of crimes can be combated using all the resources and personnel on both sides of the border. Many farmers who have suffered at the hands of these criminals are facing financial hardship because of the impact of their losses".
Newry & Armagh MLA Megan Fearon also brought up the issue of cross border rural crime saying "There are issues such as the traceability of cattle in particular and the movements of stolen stock really need to be addressed on a cross border basis. It is crucial that we inject more resource into dealing with this type of crime and that we develop an effective nd productive cross border strategy so that farmers can go about their business without the fear of crime impacting upon their livelihoods".
